Vivekananda Mailing List-1/28/03

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There was a poor man who wanted some money; and somehow he had heard

that if he could get hold of a ghost, he might command him to bring

money or anything else he liked; so he was very anxious to get hold of

a ghost. He went about searching for a man who would give him a ghost,

and at last he found a sage with great powers, and besought his help.

The sage asked him what he would do with a ghost. I want a ghost to

work for me; teach me how to get hold of one, sir; I desire it very

much, " replied the man. But the sage said, " Don't disturb yourself, go

home. " The next day the man went again to the sage and began to weep

and pray, " Give me a ghost; I must have a ghost, sir, to help me. " At

last the sage was disgusted, and said, " Take this charm, repeat this

magic word, and a ghost will come, and whatever you say to him he will

do. But beware; they are terrible beings, and must be kept continually

busy. If you fail to give him work, he will take your life. "

_____________

 

Excerpts taken from Swami Vivekananda's book Karma-Yoga found in

Volume 1 of the Complete works, CHAPTER V- WE HELP OURSELVES, NOT THE

WORLD

 

This is a part of a daily study of the lectures and writings of Swami

Vivekananda. All lectures are sent out in sequenced form, as he spoke

them.

 

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